Astaroth

Jaxel · Jan 3, 2013

Astaroth

Character
Debut:	Soulcalibur
Voice (E):	Jay S. Gilbert (SC2) Michael McConnohie (SC3-4, SC6)
Voice (J):	Banjo Ginga (SC1) Ryuzaburo Otomo (SC2-4, SC6)
Biography
Age:	3 (SC1) 7 (SC2-4)
Birthplace:	Grand Shrine of Palgaea, Safavid Empire
Birthday:	September 3, 1583
Blood:	None
Height:	6'8" (203 cm) (SC1-4) 7'2" (220 cm) (SC6)
Weight:	287 lbs (130 kg) (SC1-4) 403 lbs (183 kg) (SC6)
Family:	Created by High Priest Kunpaetku. Many more "Astaroth" are being created.
Fighting Style
Type:	Giant Ax
Weapon:	Kulutues
Discipline:	Gyulkus

Astaroth (アスタロス, Asutarosu) made his first appearance in Soulcalibur and has returned for all subsequent games: Soulcalibur II, Soulcalibur III and Soulcalibur IV, looking less human than ever before. Astaroth has returned in Soulcalibur V, and it has been confirmed that this Astaroth is an entirely new golem named "Azr Ss Trzaous", under a year old. It has also been confirmed that many more Astaroths are being made.

Biography

Bio: Soulcalibur

The god of destruction, Ares, desired Soul Edge, so he ordered his grand priest Kunpaetku to seek it out. Astaroth was created in hellish heat under the divine protection of the god of destruction to head up the quest. The grand priest, Kunpaetku, ordered his creation, Astaroth, to find the demonic blade. As he watched Astaroth depart from the shrine, the grand priest laughed to himself, "If I possessed the immense power that the gods desire, I shall become a god myself!" When Astaroth finally found Soul Edge, it had lost half of itself during the battle with Sophitia. Deciding that his master would not be pleased with the sword in this condition, he agreed to help Nightmare build it's power by collecting souls by slaughtering countless victims.

Three years later, the blade had recovered and Astaroth was ready to take it from Nightmares grasp. The grand priest Kunpaetku of the heretical order Fygul Cestemus made Astaroth's giant ax, Kulutues. The priest used many evil blessings to make the ax. If a normal person, not associated with the cult tried to use the ax, the blessing would act as a curse. Astaroth took this ax on his quest to find Soul Edge. Astaroth used Kulutues (Which means "Merciless Destroyer" in the ancient language of the order) during his rampages. The souls taken by Kulutues were sent to feed the never ending hunger of Nightmare's Soul Edge. Once Soul Edge was full, it would be taken to Ares, Astaroth's true master, to bring forth the apocalypse.

Bio: Soulcalibur II

Unfortunately for Astaroth, he was killed by Maxi before he could get Soul Edge. Astaroth was the subject of a vengeful hatred for anyone who survived his massacres. Four years later, Astaroth was revived by Ares, who still wanted Soul Edge, and figured that Astaroth was his best chance. In any case, Astaroth's body had absorbed pieces of Soul Edge, which made him stronger and even more ruthless. Astaroth, remembering his purpose, hefted his familiar ax, and vanished into the mist.

Bio: Soulcalibur III

The Grand Priest Kunpaetku had realized that Astaroth, his creation, had been misbehaving. Thus, he went to the deepest part of the shrine and put a curse on the golem, in order to regain control. However, since the agent of death, Kerr, dwelt inside him, he was able to fight back. Astaroth had become the perfect host, since he had fragments of Soul Edge inside of him. Astaroth would destroy all that stood in his path. To him, the cult was now in the way. Astaroth returned to the place of his birth in order to destroy his creator. Upon his return, he became a whirlwind of destruction. The curse that tried to stop him only served to fuel his anger. He destroyed everything he saw. Filled with the cries and shouts of the cult, the temple had become a crucible of chaos. Astaroth chased Kunpaetku into the deepest part of the shrine. However, the Grand Priest managed to escape that the last moment. All the he left behind were these words:

"You failure! You may have been modeled after a human, but in the end, you're nothing more than a doll!"

At those words, Astaroth stopped in his tracks. Ridiculous! He had been modeled after a pathetic human? He searched the ruins of the temple and learned that he had been modeled in the image of a man known as the "White Giant." After recovering from the curse, Astaroth let his rage control him as he reduced the already-destroy temple to pure, unrecognizable rubble. On this day, the cult that had called itself the "Protectors of the Correct Flow" was wiped from history by something that they themselves had created. Standing in the ruined temple, Astaroth thought to himself. If he was modeled after this "White Giant," then he must be very powerful. Perfect nourishment for Soul Edge. This man must be the greatest soul on Earth. He didn't know who he was, but Astaroth was determined to find him. His next objective was set. The giant set out, his silhouette disappearing into the distance. Only a column of smoke remained behind him. Perhaps Astaroth himself didn't realize his deep desire to destroy the White Giant so he could become complete. A unique being with no model.

Bio: Soulcalibur IV

When he learned the truth of his origins, that he had been modeled after a frail human, it shook Astaroth to his core. He unconsciously fought against that fact for some time afterward, until he found the human and nearly tore him apart. But then everything inside him turned inside out; he finally gained an awareness of himself. Until now, he had been at the mercy of his master, the god of destruction, and done his bidding. That made him seethe with rage. Ferocious thought seized him! Astaroth swung his ax wildly, and by the time he relented, the landscape had been changed irrevocably.

As Astaroth continued his barbantics, a girl calling herself Tira appeared before him with counsel. "Come, if you seek the power to hunt a god. I know a more fitting place." It was clear to him she was Soul Edge's servant, and only sought to use him. But it was true he needed richer pastures from which to reap souls. Guided by ebon wings, Astaroth set foot in Ostrheinsburg just as he had years ago. Once again, he entered Nightmare's service, pretending to obey him while waiting for the chance to size his power. This time, however, he had a different purpose, and no soul but his own commanded him. Let the fools descend upon Ostrheinsburg; their souls will be mine! I will devour everything, including Soul Edge itself!

Azr Ss Trzaous

Character
Debut:	Soulcalibur V
Voice (E):	Michael McConnohie
Voice (J):	Ryuzaburo Otomo
Biography
Age:	1
Birthplace:	Unknown (Heretical Order Fygul Cestemus, Grand Shrine of Palgaea)
Birthday:	Each has its own
Blood:	None
Height:	7'2" (220 cm)
Weight:	403 lbs (183 kg)
Family:	Created by High Priest Kunpaetku. Many more "Astaroth" are being created.
Fighting Style
Type:	Giant Ax
Weapon:	Kulutues
Discipline:	Gyulkus

Bio: Soulcalibur V

Fygul Cestemus, a cult that worshipped the twisted god Palgaea, was preparing to effect its grand revival. "Pain...the pain! UAARRRGH!" From the depths oaf a subterranean temple, newborn lungs screamed in torment.

The cult's man-made giant, Astaroth, had always followed his masters' bidding, until one day 17 years ago the creature developed a will of his own and rebelled; both Astaroth and Fygul Cestemus were destroyed. But it wasn't long before the priests of Mars and Venus crafted a mechanical woman to retrieve Astaroth's core and return it to the cult, which had already begun to reform.

Factions battled for control of the precious artifact, but it wound up in the hads of High Priest Kunpaetku, who had clawed his way back from the brink of death. If Astaroth's core had been a gift from the gods, Kunpaetku reasoned, unraveling its secrets would grant him the power to create life of his own. He could surpass the gods themselves!

Finally, his research bore fruit. Beaming with triumph, the high priest gazed upon the new Astaroth as he roared and tore at his chains. "Yes, Astaroth, rage! Rage! Very soon the world will know your wrath..." That was only the first of many such monsters he created. Released from their underground lair, a host of them lumbered west, lured by the power of a distant soul...